CWN - A Turkish tribunal has confirmed a medical diagnosis that Armenian Orthodox Patriarch Mesrob II of Constantinople is no longer capable of making his own decisions because of advancing dementia, and a guardian should be appointed to handle his duties.

Patriarch Mesrob has been suffering for years from Alzheimer's disease, and since 2008 a patriarchal vicar has been handling the daily affairs of the Armenian Church in Constantinople. But other Armenian prelates have been reluctant to elect a successor while the Patriarch is alive.

In November 2014, during his trip to Turkey, Pope Francis made an unscheduled private visit to meet with Patriarch Mesrob. The Armenian prelate's physical health, as well as his mental condition, has reportedly been deteriorating since that time.

Feasts & Fasts

February2 - Encounter of Our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ with Simeon and Anna3 - First All-Souls Saturday4 - Sunday of the Second Coming of Christ (Meat-Fare)11 - Forgiveness Sunday (Cheese-Fare)12 - Beginning of the Holy Forty Days Fast18 - First Sunday of the Great Fast (Sunday of Orthodoxy)19 - Washington's Birthday (President's Day) (USA)24 - Second All-Souls Saturday25 - Second Sunday of the Great Fast (St. Gregory Palamas)

Please pray!

"They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword...." (Hebrews 11:37a)

Please lift up in prayer all those who are persecuted and deprived of liberty, everywhere in the world. Please especially remember the peoples of Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Niger - the whole Middle East and Africa - who are literal martyrs for Christ. Also the peoples of Ukraine. They are our brothers, for all are one in Christ.

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Random Proverb

Pray Without Ceasing

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Wisdom from the Church Fathers

BROTHER: What is purity of soul?

OLD MAN: Remoteness from anger and from the error of the remembrance of evil things, and being weaned from the bitter nature, and reconciliation with our enemies, and peace which is beyond troubling, and simplicity of love which is above this world; with these things is the inner man cleansed, and he puts on Christ and is redeemed.